“I really saw it in the first half and we had to fix it a little bit. It is important now that the players listen to what we say. I was not too happy with one or two things but we go on from here.

“I am happy about their potential but we will do what we can to help it grow.”

It was Lucas’s first goal in more than six years but the Brazilian said: “I scored last week in training! It’s good to score, I don’t score many and I helped the team – that’s the main thing.”

Liverpool player ratings against Plymouth
Wed, January 18, 2017

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Luke McCormick saved a Divock Origi penalty in the second half

Divock Origi missed a late penalty but a second goal would have flattered the Premier League side against their League Two opponents, who were left to curse a Jake Jervis scissor kick which clipped the outside of the post.

Manager Derek Adams said: “We took the game to Liverpool at times and in the end we were unfortunate not to score.

“The players can be proud of themselves tonight, the supporters showed their appreciation throughout. Over the two games we have shown we are a good side. Hopefully now we can kick on in League Two.”